FILE - Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, centre, stands outside his house guarded by policemen in Yenagoa, Nigeria, in this file photo dated Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. Presidential adviser Doyin Okupe said Wednesday March 13, 2013, that Nigeria's Council of States headed by President Goodluck Jonathan has pardoned the former political benefactor of the nation's president, who was convicted of stealing millions of dollars while serving as a state governor. The decision to pardon Alamieyeseigha was greeted with derision by activists who highlight Nigeria as having one of the world's most corrupt governments. (AP Photo, File)
US criticizes Nigeria's pardon of corrupt official
Published: 04:28:32 PM, Fri 15 March 2013 UTC
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The United States has criticized Nigeria for issuing a pardon to a former governor convicted of corruption who is a political confidant of the nation's president.
In messages Friday on Twitter, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria said it was "deeply disappointed" over the pardon issued this week of former Bayelsa state Gov. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached and later convicted in Nigeria. Investigators said he likely stole millions of dollars while in office.
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan once served as Alamieyeseigha's deputy. His impeachment marked the start of Jonathan's rise in Nigerian politics.
The embassy said: "We see this as a setback in the fight against corruption." Embassy spokeswoman Deb MacLean said Friday that officials had no further immediate comment.
Nigeria is a top U.S. crude oil supplier.
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